Panel locking means and method



June 28, 1966 D. R. JOHNSON 3,257,758

PANEL LOCKING MEANS AND METHOD Filed June 28, 1965 INVENTOR. DAVID R.JOHNSON BY j w HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,257,758 PANELLOCKING MEANS AND METHOD David R. Johnson, Henrico County, Va., assignorto Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of VirginiaFiled June 28, 1963, Ser. No. 291,548 12 Claims. (Cl. 49463) Thisinvention relates to an improved panel locking means and to an improvedmethod of locking such a panel means or the like as well as to improvedparts for such a panel locking means or the like.

It is well known that various manufacturers have been striving toprovide suitable framing structures for detachably mounting stormwindows and the like in place against various standard types of existingwindows as well as to provide framing means for forming a storm door orthe like that can be readily converted to a screen door or the like.

In particular, while the framing members for such application can bepermanently secured in place to the building or the like, it is desirousthat the glass panels for forming the panel means of the storm windowsand storm doors be effectively locked in place when utilized and stillbe easily removable during the summer and the like so that screenedpanels can be utilized in place thereof.

According to the teachings of this invention, such improved panellocking means is provided wherein the panels can be readily and easilylocked in place for the desired purpose thereof and, thereafter, can bereadily and easily removed when desired.

In particular, one embodiment of this invention comprises framingmembers which can be readily secured to an existing building or the liketo carry the desired panel means, the framing member having a grooveprovided therein and a flange means spaced from the groove to be engagedby the desired panel means. Thereafter, a locking member of thisinvention can be interlockingly disposed in the groove of the framingmember and by a mere adjustment of an adjusting member carried by thelocking member, the adjusting member can engage the panel means to notonly hold the panel means against the flange means of the framingmember, but also to hold the locking member in place, whereby it is arelatively simple operation to lock the desired panel means in theframing members of this invention.

Subsequently, when it is desired to remove the panel means, the usermerely adjusts the adjusting member so that the locking member can beremoved to permit the panel means to be removed from the framing membersof this invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedpanel locking means having one or more of the novel features of thisinvention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such alocking means or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method forlocking a panel means in place, the method having one or more of thenovel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shownor described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description, which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic, fragmentary, perspective view illustrating atypical building application utilizing th features of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the improved locking member of thisinvention.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 2,illustrating one of the steps in the method of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, illustrating another step in theoperation of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, illustrating another embodimentof this invention.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 and illustrates still anotherembodiment of this invention.

While the various features of this invention ar hereinafter describedand illustrated as being particularly adaptable for locking stormwindows or glass panel means in place, it is to be understood that thevarious features of this invention can be utilized singly or in anycombina tion thereof to lock other types of panel members in place, asdesired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, FIGURE 1 illustrates a typical building 10having a storm window 11 and a storm door 12 formed according to theteachings of this invention.

In particular, it can be seen from FIGURE 2 that the storm windowlll forthe picture window of the building 10 is provided by framing members 13of this invention which are adapted to be disposed completely around theperiphery of the existing windowand be secured to the wall of thebuilding 10 by suitable fastening members passing through mounting plateportions 14 of the framing members 13, whereby the framing members 13provide a framing means for a storm window panel means 15 in a mannerhereinafter described.

The panel means 15 of this invention is held in place in the framingmembers '13 of this invention by a plurality of locking members 16 ofthis invention interconnected to the framing members 13 in a mannerhereinafter described and movably carrying adjusting members 17 utilizedto detachably secure the panel means 15 in place.

Therefore, it can be seen that the panel locking means of this inventioncomprise a relatively few parts While still readily permitting the userto lock the panel means 15 in place or to remove the panel means 15 whendesired.

The particular details of the panel locking means of this invenion willnow be described.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, the framing member 13 includes apanel means receiving surface 18 interrupted by a groove 19, the groove19 having a portion 20 thereof undercutting the surface 18 for a purposehereinafter described and disposed opposite a right angled 3 portion 21of the frame member 13 that is defined by the groove 19 for a purposehereinafter described.

Each framing member 13 has an outwardly directed abutment or flangemeans 22 spaced inwardly from the groove 19 for a purpose hereinatferdescribed.

The panel means 15 of this invention can be formed in any suitablemanner and of any suitable material.

However, the embodiment of the panel means 15 illustrated in thedrawings comprises a glass panel 23 suitably framed about the outerperiphery thereof by panel retaining members 24, each panel retainingmember 24 being substantially H-shaped and defining opposed outwardlyfacing channels 25 and 26.

The glass panel 23 is received in the channel 25 of each panel retainingmember 24 and is secured therein by a suitable sealing material 27 inthe manner illustrated in FIGURE 4 to not only secure the panel 23 tothe retaining member 24 but also to provide an airtight sealing meansand cushioning means therebe-tween.

The completed panel means 15 of this invention is adapted to be insertedin the framing members 13 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 2, 4 andwhereby the retaining members 24 of the panel means 15 abut against theflange means 22 of the framing members 13 and are disposed inboard ofthe grooves 19 of the framing members 13.

The locking members 16 of this invention each comprises a substantiallyrectangular block, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, having an outwardlydirected projection 28 at one of the corners thereof to becomplementally received in the undercut portion 20 of the groove 19 ofthe framing members 13 in a manner hereinafter described, While theopposed corner 29 of the locking member 16 is complementary to theangled portion 21 of the framing members 13. Each locking member 16 hasa threaded bore 30 passing therethrough and threadedly receiving anexternally threaded portion 31 of the adjusting member or screw 17.

When it is desired .to lock the panel means -15 in the framing members13, the adjusting member .17 of a particular locking member =16 can bebacked outwardly until the free end 32 of the threaded portion 31 of theadjusting member 17 is disposed flush with the surface 33 of the lockingmember 16 in the manner illustrated in FIG- URE 4.

Thereafter, by holding the enlarged head 34 of the adjusting member 17,the locking member 16 can be disposed at an angle in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 4 and inserted substantially transverselydownwardly into the groove 19 until the projection 28 of the lockingmember 16 is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Subsequently, the user rotates the adjusting member 17 to cause the freeend 32 thereof to begin to project outwardly beyond the surface 33 ofthe locking member -16 and engage the panel retaining member 24.

Such rotational movement of the adjusting member .17 relative to thelocking member 16 can be effected by one hand as the locking member 16is prevented from rotating by the cooperation between the projection 28of the locking member 16 and the undercut portion 20 of the groove 19.

Thereafter, further threading of the adjusting member 17 into thelocking member 16 causes the locking member 16 to begin to moveoutwardly from the panel means 15 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5and cause the projection thereof to be more fully received in undercutportion of the groove 19 while the corner 29 thereof approaches theangled portion 21 of the framing member 13.

Subsequently, the adjusting member :17 is threaded into the lockingmember 16 in such a manner that the locking member is disposed in theposition illustrated in FIG- UR E 2, whereby the corner 29 of thelocking member 16 is fully received against the angled portion 21 of the4 framing member 13 while the projection 28 thereof is fully received inthe undercut portion 20 of the groove 19.

In this manner, further pivotal movement of the locking member 16relative to the framing member 13 is terminated and the adjusting member17 can be further tightened into the locking member 16 to fully compactthe panel retaining member 24 against the flange means 22, whereby thepanel means 15 is firmly held against the flange means 22 of the framingmembers 13.

With the locking member .16 now disposed in the position illustrated inFIGURE 2, it can be seen that the looking member 16 cannot betransversely removed from the groove 19 because of its interlockinbgrelation with the groove 19 while the adjusting screw 17 is disposed inthe position illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Thus, the locking member 16, adjusting member 17, panel means 15 andframing member 13 cooperate together to positively lock the panel means15 to the framing means 13 in a relatively simple and inexpensivemanner.

In the aforementioned method of locking the panel means 15 in place, itcan be seen that the adjusting member 17 not only holds the panel means15 against the flange means 22 of the framing member 13 but the samealso moves the locking member 16 into its interlocking relation with thegroove 19 of the framing member 13.

While the method of locking the panel means 15 in place has beendescribed in connection with one locking member 16, it is to beunderstood that other locking members 16 are utilized in the same mannerto completely hold the panel means 15 in place in the framing members13.

Further, while the above-described method of locking the panel means 15in place has been described in connection With the adjusting member 17already being assembled to the locking member 16, it is to be understood that the method of this invention could be performed by disposingthe locking member 16 in the groove 19 of the framing member 13 whilethe adjusting member 17 is completely separated therefrom. Thereafter,the adjusting member 17 can be assembled to the locking member 16 insuch a manner that the same engages the panel retaining means 24 tocompact the same against the flange means 22 and to hold the lockingmember 16 in its interlocking relation with the groove 19, whereby thefinal assembly will still be the same as illustrated in FIG- URE 2.

While the panel locking means of this invention has heretofore beendescribed in connection with framing members 13 for use for framingconventional picture windows or conventional double-hung windows, it isto be understood that the framing members 13 of this invention can bemodified to provide framing means for other types of windows.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 7 wherein another panel lockingmeans of this invention is provided and is particularly adaptable forproviding storm window means for casement windows, basement windows, andthe like.

The panel locking means illustrated in FIGURE 7 is substantially thesame as the panel locking means illustrated in FIGURE 2, except that theframing member thereof has been modified to adapt the same to a casementwindow arrangement. Therefore, the parts of the panel locking means ofFIGURE 7 that are similar to the panel locking means of FIGURE 2 areindicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter6A.,

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the panel locking means comprises a panelmeans 15A, a locking member 16A, an adjusting member 17A and a framemember 13A, the frame member 13A having the abutment or flange means 22Aand groove 19A in the same manner previously described, while theremaining portion of the frame member 13A is modified from the structureof the framing member 13 previously described, to permit the same toadapt itself to other building structures.

Therefore, it can be seen that the panel locking means of FIGURE 2 andFIGURE 7 operate in the same manner to provide the above advantages ofthis invention.

While the panel locking means of this invention have heretofore beendescribed in connection with windows, it is to be understood that thepanel locking means of this invention can be utilized with the stormdoor structure 12 of the building 10 of FIGURE 1.

In paricular, reference is made to FIGURE 6 illustrating the panellocking means of the door 12, the panel locking means for the door 12being substantially identical to the panel locking means illustrated inFIGURE 2, except that the framing member has been modified to permit thesame to provide framing structure for a storm door or the like.Therefore, the parts of the panel locking means illustrated in FIGURE 6that are similar to the panel locking means illustrated in FIGURE 2 areindicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter B.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the framing member 1313 is modified over theframing member 13 previously described to permit the framing member 13Bto provide structure for forming the storm door 12, the framing member13B, however, still having an abutment or flange means 223 spaced fromthe locking member receiving groove 19B whereby the framing member 13Bfunctions in the same manner as the framing member 13 for locking thepanel means 15B in place by the locking member 16B and adjusting member1713.

Therefore, it can be seen that the novel features of the panel lockingmeans of this invention can be utilized with different framing structureto provide the desired results.

'Further, while the panel means 15 of this invention have been describedas being storm windows or the like, it is to be understood that thepanel means 15 could comprise other panel structure as desired.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention provides not only improvedlocking means and method but also provides improved parts for such panellocking means or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a member having a groove, an abutment means disposedspaced from said groove, a panel means or the like disposed against saidabutment means and between said abutment means and said groove, alocking member disposed in said groove, and an adjusting member movablycarried by said locking member and engaging said panel means to holdsaid panel means against said abutment means, said groove having anundercut portion and said locking member having an outwardly directedprojection disposed in said undercut portion whereby said locking membercannot be pulled transverse- 'ly out ofsaid groove when said adjustingmember is holding said panel means against said abutment means.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjusting memberhas a threaded portion and said locking member has a threaded borethreadedly receiving said threaded portion of said adjusting member.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said panel meanscomprises a panel and frame member receiving said panel, said framemember engaging said abutment means and being engaged by said adjustingmember.

4. A combination as set forth in claim '3 wherein said frame member issubstantially H-shaped.

5. In combination, a member having a groove, an abutment means disposedspaced from said groove, a panel 6 means or the like disposed againstsaid abutment means and between said abutment means and said groove, alocking member interlockingly disposed in said groove, and an adjustingmember movably carried by said locking member and engaging said panelmeans to hold said panel means against said abutment means, said groovehaving an undercut portion and said locking member having an outwardlydirected projection disposed in said undercut portion whereby saidlocking member cannot be pulled transversely out of said groove whensaid adjusting member is holding said panel means against said abutmentmeans, said groove defining an angled portion of said first named memberthat is disposed opposite said undercut portion and said locking memberhaving an angled portion complementally engaging said angled portion ofsaid first named member.

6. In combination, a member having a groove, an abutment means disposedspaced from said groove, a panel means or the like disposed against saidabutment means and between said abutment means and said groove, alocking member inserted transversely in said groove, and an adjustingmember movably carried by said locking member and engaging said panelmeans to hold said panel means against said abutment means and to holdsaid lock ing member in an interlocking position in said groove, saidgroove having an undercut portion and said locking member having anoutwardly directed projection disposed in said undercut portion wherebysaid locking member cannot be pulled transversely out of said groovewhen said adjusting member'is holding said panel means against saidabutment means.

7. In combination, a framing member having a groove and a flange meansspaced from said groove, a panel means or the like disposed against saidflange means and between said flange means and said groove, a lockingmember disposed in said groove, and an adjusting member movably carriedby said locking member and engaging said panel means to hold said panelmeans against said flange means, said groove having an undercut portionand said locking member having an outwardly directed projection disposedin said undercut portion whereby said locking member cannot be pulledtransversely out of said groove when said adjusting member'is holdingsaid panel means against said flange means.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said adjusting memberhas a threaded portion and said locking member has a threaded borethreadedly receiving said threaded portion of said adjusting member.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said panel meanscomprises a panel and panel retaining member receiving said panel, saidpanel retaining member engaging said flang means and being engaged bysaid adustlng means.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said panel retainingmember is substantially H-shaped.

11. In combination, a framing member having a groove and a flange meansspaced from said groove, a panel means or the like disposed against saidflange means and between said flange means and said groove, a lockingmember interlockingly disposed in said groove, and an adjusting membermovably carried by said locking member and abutting said panel means tohold said panel means against said flange means said groove having anundercut portion and said locking member having an outwardly directedprojection disposed in said undercut portion whereby said locking membercannot be pulled transversely out of said groove when said adjustingmember is holding said panel means against said flange means, saidgroove defining an angled portion of said frame member that is disposedopposite said undercut portion and said locking member having an angledportion complementally engaging said angle portion of said frame member.

12. In combination, a framing member having a groove and a flange meansspaced from said groove, a panel means or the like disposed against saidflange means and between said flange means and said groove, a lockingmember inserted transversely in said groove, and an adjusting membermovably carried by said locking member and engaging said panel means tohold said panel means against said flange means and to hold said lockingmember in an interlocking position in said groove, said groove having anundercut portion and said locking member having an outwardly directedprojection disposed in said undercut portion whereby said locking membercannot be pulled transversely out of said groove when said adjustingmember is holding said panel means against said flange means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Reuter 18978Nagle 292-256.71 Krantz 20-55 Wilson.

Wagner 18978

1. IN COMBINATION, A MEMBER HAVING A GROOVE, AN ABUTMENT MEANS DISPOSEDSPACED FROM SAID GROOVE, A PANEL MEANS OR THE LIKE DISPOSED AGAINST SAIDABUTMENT MEANS AND BETWEEN SAID ABUTMENT MEANS AND SAID GROOVE, ALOCKING MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID GROOVE, AND AN ADJUSTING MEMBER MOVABLYCARRIED BY SAID LOCKING MEMBER AND ENGAGING SAID PANEL MEANS TO HOLDSAID PANEL MEANS AGAINST SAID ABUTMENT MEANS, SAID GROOVE HAVING ANUNDERCUT PORTION AND SAID LOCKING MEMBER HAVING AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTEDPROJECTION DISPOSED IN SID UNDERCUT PORTION WHEREBY SAID LOCKING MEMBERCANNOT BE PULLED TRANSVERSELY OUT OF SAID GROOVE WHEN SAID ADJUSTINGMEMBER IS HOLDING SAID PANEL MEANS AGAINST SAID ABUTMENT MEANS.